Snap circuit controller



J. E. STEPHENSON I SNAP CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Filed March 19, 1920 PatentedJan. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES E. STEPHENSON, OF ROCHESTER, NEEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL RAIL-WAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SNAP CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

Application filed March 19, 1920.

To all whom if may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES E. S rnrI-IEN- SON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and resident of the city of Rochester, in the county of Monroeand State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inSnap Circuit Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to snap circuit controllers of the rotary type,and more particularly to such a circuit controller especially designedfor use with semaphore signal operating mechanism. This invention is animprovement upon the construction disclosed in the patent to William S.Henry, 1,224,542, May 1, 1917, and the primary object of the presentinvention is to improve the construction of the spring device employedin this type of circuit controller for operating the snap circuit controlling element. Detail features and ad vantages of my improvedconstruction will be pointed out hereinafter.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer tocorresponding parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is afront elevation of a snap circuit controller embodying my inventionshown in connection with the main circuit controlling unit of a wellknown type of semaphore signal operating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is substantially a horizontal sec tion, partly broken away, takenon the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken substantially on the line3--3 in Fig. 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4: is a fragmentary side view of the part shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged section, corresponding to that shown inFig. 2, and shows a modified construction.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the circuit controller framecomprises a back plate 1 having slots 2 therein for receiving the boltsor similar means employed to attach the main circuit controlling unit tothe frame of the signal operating mechanism. Integral with this backplate 1 are upper and lower members 3 and 4: which are connected neartheir front end by a cross Serial No. 367,223.

member 5 (see Fig. 2). Journaled in suit able bushings in the back plate1 and the cross member 5 is a shaft 6 to which is fixed a gear 7, bymeans of which the circuit controlling unit is operated from the gearsof the signal mechanism. This operating gearing and the other parts ofthe signal mechanism have not been shown and for the purpose ofunderstanding the present invention, it is sufiicient to point out thatthe gear 7 is driven first in one direction and then in the otherthrough different angles as the semaphore signal is actuated to itsdifferent operated. positions.

Secured to the main operating shaft 6 by suitable means (not shown) isthe main circuit controller drum 8, made of wood or other suitableinsulating material, to which are fastened a number of contact strips,as 9, differing in length corresponding to the timing of circuit controldesired. Loosely mounted on the shaft 6, with an'intervening bushing 10,is another drum 11, which has fixed thereto contact strips, as 12,similar to the contact strips 9, and which constitutes the drivenelement of the snap circuit controller. Blocks 13 of suitable insulatingmaterial are fastened by screws or the like (not shown) to the upper andlower memhers 3 and 4, and supported by these blocks are a number ofcontact fingers 14, provided with the usual binding posts 15. Thecontact fingers 14 press against the surface of the drums 8 and 11 andare bridged or electrically connected by the contact strips 9 and 12 onsaid drums. The main circuit controller drum 8 moves with the shaft 6,but the other drum 11. conveniently termed the snap drum, is quicklyshifted. or snapped between certain predetermined positions, as theshaft turns, in a manner more fully explained hereinafter.

The parts for operating the snap drum 11 comprise a latch plate 16,fastened by screws 17 to the end of said drum, and in the periphery ofthis latch plate are formed a number of notches, as 18, eight notchesaltogether being shown in Fig. 1. The snap circuit controller isconstructed for snap movement for both directions of rotation of theshaft 6, and consequently the parts are symmetrical and in someinstances duplicated. Thus, there are two sets or groups of notchesfacing in opposite directions to toward its center (see Fig.

permit locking of the latch plate 16 for ither direction of rotation.Associated with the latch plate 16 are two latch arms 19-20. one foreach direction of rotation; and since these arms are counterparts, thedetail description of one will apply to the other. The latch arm 19 isloosely pivoted at its upper end on a stud 2i integral with or attachedto the upper member 3 of thecircuit controller frame. said aim beingheld in place on the stud by a cotter pin. At the lower end of the latcharm l9 is formed a shoulder or latch 22 adapted to engage one set of thenotches. and lock the latch plate l6 against movement in a clockwisedirection. as viewed in Fig. 1. The latch arm 19 also carries at itslower end a forwardly proj cting sleeve 23 (see Fig. which is supportedon a bolt 24 adjustable lengthwise of the arm, 19. The bolt 24; passesthrough an elongated slot 25 in the latch arm 19 Fig. l) and has asquare head fitting in a rabbeted channel 26 in rear face of said arm,(see Fig. 2.), so tl the bolt is kept from turning. The outer face ofthe latch arm 19 is provided with serrations 27. and a serrated wisher28 introduced between the sleeve 2 and the arm 19. so that when thelocking nuts 20 are tightened, the sleeve fixed in its aid justedposition. In front of the latch plate 16 a cam plate 230 having a hub 31keyed to the main operating shaft (3. This cam plate 30 has its outerperiphery formed with serrations 32, as shown in Fig. 3, for holding oneor more cams live cams altogether being shown in Fig. 1. These cams 33are preferably formedv with a curved body portion overlying the outeredge of the cam plate 30 and having edges fitting into the serrations32, and a tail portion 33 extending across the face of the cam plate 2).the inner end of said tail portion being bent over to en page acircuinferei'itial shoulder formed in the outer face of the cam plate. Acover plate 34. held in place on a shaft 6 by a sleeve and a nut 36.fits outside of the cam plate 30 and holds the ca as 33 in theirrespective adjusted positions. This cover plate 34: has a short lug 34(see l ip 2) which fits in a corresponding hole in the cam plate 30. sothat these plates move together. The cover plate 34 is also providedwith a cut-away portion. as shown in Fig. 1, so that after it isloosened. it may be turned to bringthe cutaway portion opposite any oneof the cams thereby permitting that cam to be disengaged from the camplate and moved to some other portion. The latch plate 1.6. which isfastened to the snap drum 11. and the cam plate 30. which is connectedto and driven by the main operating shaft 6, are coni'iccted to-,g'ethe; by a spring device. which. tends to maintain these plates inalignment. This spring device, which constitutes the subject matter ofthe present invention, comprises two iLOlOSCOlQQtl flanged sleeves orcollars 3S and 39. each haviiin an arm ti) and 4-1, respectively,integral tl'ierewith and projecting outwardly from the shalt 6. Thesearms are bent toward each other, as best shown in l ig. -l-. so thatthey cannot pass ,tltl] other. The collars 39 and 38 are assembled onein side of the other around the hub 31 of the cam plate 30, shown inPig. 2. and are held in place by a 'wasl'ier t2 fixed to said .ub byhaving the edge thereof spun over he 'wai-iher. A coiled tlat spring1:3, similar 0 the ordinary clock springs. is retained or housed betweenthe flanges of the collars 3t and and is anchored at one end by a pin idto one collar 38 (see Fig. 3), and is roi'n'ied at its other end with aloop hooked over a lug 4-5 integnl with the other collar ll Integralwith the latch plate 16 and the cam plate 30 are two lugs or stops 46and t7. respectively. which extend parallel with the shaft (:3. oneinside of the other. and which are positioned between the two arms it)and all. The spring 11-3 is given some initial tension when the partsare assembled, and the lugs lti and 47 are aligned. as shown in Fig. 3.

In the modified construction shown in Fi 5, the collars or retainers 38and 39 are fastened together as a unit which remorahlc from the hub 31.In this construction, the collar 39 is made wider than the collar 38,and these two collars are held to retl'icr by a washer "-518 fastened tothe collar 21$).

The operation of the snap circuit conlroller in the various positions ofthe operating shaft 6 is the same. and it only necessary to descriliicthe operation for one inm'ei'nent. ssnming the parts to be in theposition shown in Fig. It. when the shaft 6 is turned clockwise. thefirst notcl 18 on the latch plate 16 engages the shoulder 22 of thelatch arm 19. so that said latch. plate and the snap drum ll are heldfrom further movement with the shaft. The. cam plate 3t). however. beingfastened to the shaft (3. coin tinues its movement. and the lug i-Tthereon carries with it the arm ll, therelcy tcnsioiiing the springti-i. After a 1ne-tletermined. movement of the shaft (3. the first cam33 enga es the sleeve 2 on the latch arm 1!) and lifts the shoulder 22clear of the notch 18. whereupon tension of the sprinq- 4-3 snaps thedrum 11 forward to aposition corresponding with the position of theshaft, that is. until the two lugs t6 and 14 7 are opposite each other.as shown in Fig. 31. It the shaft 6 is moved further in the samedirection. the next notch on the latch plate to caught by the latch arm19. released by the next arm 33. and so on. if the shaft (3 is moved inthe opposite direction. the other iiO latch arm 20 holds the latch plate16. By varying the number of notches and adjust ing the positions of thecams 33 the quick movement of the snap drum 1.1. may be ob tained at anypredetermined point in the movement of the main operating shaft 6, foreither direction of movement.

It will be noted that my invention pro vides a compact and simpleconstruction of the s iiring device connecting the driving and drivenmembers of the snap circuit controller. By employing a flat spring, amuch greater number of turns can be put in the limited space available,thereby working the spring so far below its elastic limit that it is notliable to lose its resiliency or break in service. The two flangedcollars or retaining members 38 and afford an effective housing forprotecting the spring itself, enable a simple and reliable connection tobe made to the inner and outer ends of the spring separately. andconstitute a strong and compact arrangement for cooperating with thelugs 46 and 4:7 to tension the spring.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred forms of myinvention, it is evident that various changes may be made in theparticular constructions shown and de scribed, without departing fromthe invention.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is 2-- 1. In a snap circuit controller of the rotary type havinga driving elementand a driven element, a spring device for yieldablymaintaining said elements in a pre determined relation and comprising, aflat spiral spring, arms supported for rotary movement on the same axisas said elements in a manner so that they cannot pass by each other whenrotated by such axis and coupled respectively to the inner and outerends of said. spring, and :1 lug projection from each of said elementsbetween said arms.

2. In a snap circuit controller of the ro tary type having a drivingelement and a driven element, a spring device for yieldingly maintainingsaid element in a predecrmincd relation and comprising, telescopingretaining members pivotally supported on said driving element and aspiral flat spring having its ends anchored to said members separately,and means operatively connecting said retaining members independently tothe driving and driven elements.

3. In a snap circuit controller of the rotary type having a drivingelement and a driven element, a spring device for yieldably maintainingsaid elements in a predetermined. relation and comprising telescopingflanged collars, a coiled flat spring retained between the flanges ofsaid collars and having its ends anchored to said collars separately,each collar having an outwardly extending arm, and means connectedindependently to said driving and driven elements for cooperation withsaid arms.

l. A. rotary snap circuit controller comprising a shaft, a contact drumloose on the shaft, a latch. plate fastened to said drum, latching meanscooperating with the latch plate for holding it against movement, a camplate driven by the shaft and provided with means for releasing saidlatching means, said cam plate and latch plate having lugs extendingparallel with the shaft one inside the other, and a spring deviceyieldingly maintaining said lugs in alignn'ient, said spring devicecomprising two retaining members independently movable around the shaftand guided thereby and having outwardly projecting arms disposed onopposite sides of said lugs, and a spiral fiat spring associated with.said retaining 1I16111 bers and having its ends connected separately tosaid members.

5. A rotary snap circuit controller comprising a shaft, a contact deviceloose on the shaft, a latch plate fastened to said contact device, alatch arm cooperating With the latch. plate for holding it against movement .in one direction, a cam plate driven by the shaft and havingprojecting cams thereon arranged to engage the latch arm. said cam plateand latch plate having lugs extending parallel with the shaft inoverlapping relation, a spring device for yieldii'igly n'iaintainingsaid lugs in alignment comprising two telescoping collars mounted on theshaft and independently movable thereon, said collars having outwardlyprojecting arms disposed on opposite sides of said lugs, and a spiralflat spring disposed between said arms and having its ends separatelyconnected thereto.

(3. A rotary snap circuit controller having a driving element and adriven element, said elements having parallel lugs movable therewith,and. a spring device tending to maintain said elements in apredetermined relation. said spring device comprising telescopcd flangedcollars each having an outwi-irdly projecting arm, a flat spiral springdisposed between the flanges of said collars and having its endsanchored to the collars, and means for holding the collars together.

T. In a snap circuit controller of the rotary type having a drivingelement and a driven element sepa'ately rotating on a shaft, saiddriving and driven elements being provided with lugs extending into thesame plane about the axis of said shaft, and a spring device comprisinga flat spirally wound spring and arms mounted on the shaft and extendingoutwardly along side of the spring. said arms bearing against oppositssides of the lugs on said elements,

the inner end of said spring being connected to one arm and the outerend to the other arm.

8. A snap circuit controller of the rotary type having a driving elementand a driven element turning separately on the same axis, saidelen'ients having lugs movable therewith in sliibstantially the sameplane about said axis, and a spring device comprising a flat spirallywound spring and having arms extending outwardy from both ends of thespring for engaging opposite sides of said lugs, said arms beingdisposed to engage each other so that the spring can not unwind whenremoved.

9. A snap circuit controller of the rotary type having a driving elementand a driven element each provided with. an extending lug. and a springdevice for yieldably maintaining said elements in a predeterminedrelation comprising, telescoped flanged collars each having an outwardlyextending arm, the ends of said arms being disposed to engage each otherand being adapted to engage opposite sides of said lugs, and a flatspirally wound spring between the flanges of the collars and having itsinner end tastened to one of the collars, the flange of the other collarhaving a projection in the plane of the spring to which the outer end ofsaid spring is fastened.

JAMES E. STEPHEN SUN

